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Survey Details Improved Access to Public Libraries Issued by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council) No. 248 March 2005 ISSN 0332-0049 SURVEY DETAILS IMPROVED ACCESS TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES An Chomhairle Leabharlanna is pleased to present the findings of o 295 or 84% of the libraries are open at least one night per the 2004 survey on the opening hours of the public library service. week. This represents an increase of 34 libraries since 1998. This is the third such survey carried out by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the previous two This pattern of continued improvements in the availability of being in 1998 and 2001. services since 1998 is to be commended. This is particularly The 2004 results have provided information which illustrates the noteworthy when the national total hours are calculated. The considerable progress which library authorities have made since weekend opening hours have increased by 26%, the lunchtime 1998. This was the year when Minister Dempsey launched the opening hours by 28%, and the evening opening hours by 125%. Branching Out report and its programme for an inclusive library Improvements in opening hours are crucial to the development of service embracing the information society. As the title of the report the public library service. Research1 has shown that 30% of library implies and as formulated in the recommendations, the public users are unhappy with current opening hours, while the would, following the implementation of this agenda, expect to enhancement of opening hours is one of the main changes non- receive expanded services in a greater number of locations at users said would encourage them to use libraries. times that were sufficient, suitable and sustainable. In recognising the achievements of library authorities in recent The improvements since 1998 highlighted in the report include the years, this report includes a recommendation that local authorities following: continue to review their schedule of library opening hours and provide appropriate staff levels in order to increase the hours of o There are now 351 branch libraries provided by the 32 library opening at times suitable to the public. An Chomhairle authorities in Ireland, representing an increase of 25 libraries Leabharlanna has recommended that the Department carries out surveyed; the next survey in 2007. o These 351 branch libraries are open for a weekly total of 9,344 hours, representing a 20% increase since 1998; 1 A public space for all: use and non-use of public libraries. o The number of libraries open during lunch time has increased (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, 2004) from 100, or 31% of the total, to 162 or 46%; www.librarycouncil.ie/publications o 262, or 75%, of the branches are open at weekends, representing an increase of 54 branches in the 6 year period; ABOUT LARKIN A gift of 500 new books has been presented to Larkin Community quizzes, research, treasure hunts, book reviewing and quiet College on Cathal Brugha St., Dublin by well known Dublin reading classes for students. businessman and author Bill Cullen. Mr. Cullen announced at the Welcoming the donation of books, College Librarian Eileen Holian presentation that "this is just the beginning, there will be 500 said "Renault Ireland Chairman Bill Cullen’s donation will add books every year for the next three years". Minister for Education considerably to the library’s resources. But more importantly it’s a and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., was present to meet the staff and real boost for the students and the staff and demonstrates that pupils at the College when Bill Cullen made the official others in our community believe in the work that we are doing here presentation. in Larkin College. His practical and generous gesture of support to the students in our school will have a lasting impact on this school community. Since September 2003 in Larkin Community College our junior cycle students, a population of on average 240 students, have read or borrowed over 3,000 books. This space has quickly become the heart of the school where children choose to come in their free time. It is a dynamic space in an equally dynamic school." Mr. Cullen said "there is no achievement without opportunity and I hope in some small way that these books will open the minds for the local children in the inner Dublin area." Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin said "While recent OECD results for 15 year olds showed Ireland ranked amongst the top for reading, we must concentrate resources to enhance the skills of those most in need of support and to ensure L Minister Hanafin and Bill Cullen that they do not get left behind in reading skills. Well stocked libraries such as this one at Larkin College foster a positive The Library at Larkin College is part of a Department of Education reading culture for pupils and enhance the skills and abilities of and Science’s initiative aimed at boosting literacy in our young people. It is an excellent link for the student to the disadvantaged areas. The library hosts shared reading, paired world outside school, an environment where students can develop reading, story telling, read-a-long books and tapes, games, at their own pace and expand their own interests." news and events Clare County Library recently celebrated the 21st anniversary of chairman for the evening, Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Andrew the completion of Clare County Council’s first Library Montague. Ms Ellis-King recalled the first Gilbert lecture in 1998, Development Programme. given by Douglas Bennett in the Mansion House, and her hope at Mr. Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the time that the lecture series would continue. Councillor Local Government, joined with the Clare Public Library Service in Montague stressed the importance of history and drew attention to celebrating the anniversary. While in the de Valera Library in the hidden areas of history that often went unnoticed and Ennis, the Minister spoke of the five purpose-built libraries uncelebrated. developed under that programme - Ennistymon, Kilrush, Dr Gillespie gave a lively and erudite lecture, ranging widely over Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shannon and the de Valera library itself the areas of making books, publishing, bookselling, owning and where the event took place. He referred in particular to the de using books. He examined the way in which the book trade Valera library which he said was "considered a landmark in branch worked at the period, and how books arrived in the Dublin shops, library development and had a major influence on library imported from London through Chester and Bristol, with a small development in Ireland". number printed in Dublin. He focused on the readers and users of "It is quite appropriate that today’s event should take place in books from the late 16th to the late 17th centuries, drawing on lists Ennis", the Minister continued, "as Ennis was of course the first of books owned by individuals, booksellers lists, and accounts by town to adopt the Public Library (Ireland) Act, 1855, the 150th readers of their own reading. He looked at the type of subjects anniversary of which we celebrate this year." To mark this which appealed to early modern readers: religious and devotional occasion the Minister said that a programme of events to further works, history, philosophy, and books of entertainment. Feedback promote the role of the modern public library service as a key from the audience was very positive, and they are looking forward cultural function of local authorities was being organised with to seeing the lecture in print. funding from his Department. The lecture was accompanied by a display of books and The Minister said that the development of information manuscripts from the collections of Dublin City Archives and communications technology had opened a myriad of opportunities Dublin City Public Libraries. for the further development of the public library service. "We The published text of the 2004 lecture was launched, Dr Ruth cannot discuss delivery of service today without reference to McManus’s ‘Such happy harmony’: early twentieth-century information technology and the relatively new role of the library in housing co-operation to solve Dublin’s housing problems, and facilitating access to the Internet. The Government has given a copies were presented to Ruth and to Councillor Montague by the high priority to ensuring that access to the Information Society City Librarian. The evening ended with a wine reception. develops in a socially inclusive way and in particular to mitigating the effects of the digital divide." The Minister launched Foto: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Library: Deansgrange Library Clare Images on Line a series of almost 3,000 photographs was packed to capacity for the Readers’ Day entitled A Book Affair depicting many aspects of life in the County from the early 20th to Remember held on 12th February. Organised by Sarah Webb century to the present. He also launched another ICT project and the Irish Girls in association with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown being managed by Clare County Library - The Clare Tithe Libraries, it featured over 20 of Ireland’s favourite authors Applotment Books Transcription Project which aims to make the including Marian Keyes, Claudia Carroll, Anita Notaro, Catherine information contained in the Tithe Applotment Books available on- Dunne, Anne Marie Forrest, Sinéad Moriarty and Monica line. This is a novel project in that volunteers from Canada, the McInerney. U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand and a growing number of other A series of talks entitled The Write Stuff runs weekly in countries transcribe the data, forward it to the library where it is Deansgrange Library until 23rd March covering topics such as checked and posted on the library website.
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